WALTHAM, Mass. -- The Celtics were sympathetic to fired Pistons coach Flip Saunders. Detroit announced yesterday that he would not return after his team’s lost three consecutive Eastern Conference finals.

“It makes coaching not fun. It’s not fun when you see this. He’s a terrific coach,” said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who can empathize. Orlando fired him 11 games into the 2004 season.

Saunders’ future was the subject of much speculation during the playoffs, but Rivers was still surprised he was let go.

“It’s our profession. It’s a tough profession,” he said. “Our job is tough, and it’s getting tougher by the day. There are a lot of people out there who know more than us, and that makes it tough.”

Ray Allen, noting the Pistons’ drive to six consecutive Eastern Conference finals and a title, was surprised. He said somebody told him there were more coaches in the playoffs worried about their jobs than those out of the playoffs.

Saunders looked exhausted during the Boston series.